FASI E-Newsletters

The Fa’aSamoa Initiative (FASI) grew out of community voices and advocacy that led the SFUSD Board of Education to pass the Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (HAPI) Resolution in 2018, in support of equitable services for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students, families, and staff. In September 2020, the resolution was amended to focus on closing academic disparities among Samoan students through a PreK–14 pathway rooted in Samoan Aganu’u, or indigenous practices.

From the beginning, the resolution called for the initiative to work hand in hand with families, educators, and community members, and to report back regularly on its progress. Our e-newsletter, launched in the 2021–22 school year, is one of the ways we keep that promise. It keeps our Pacific Islander families and partners informed, connected, and engaged, and it is part of our larger literacy strategy to put Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander stories, voices, and opportunities in front of our students and families.

What’s inside each month:

• FASI & Mātua Advisory Council (MAC) announcements: initiative updates, programs, and opportunities such as internships and student programs
• SFUSD Announcements: key district dates, enrollment, graduations, promotions, and Board of Education meetings
• Mātua Advisory Council news: upcoming meetings, events, and ways for parents and guardians to get involved
• Heritage and Recognition: honoring Pacific Islander leaders, heritage months, and school cultural celebrations
• Introductions and Spotlights: new NH&PI staff, educators, and programs like the PreK Samoan Dual Language Pathway
• In case you missed it: highlights and photos from recent events across schools and the community
• Community Announcements: scholarships, cultural festivals, and resources from community partners